Amusement device



Jan. 29, 1935. T. c. GRAHAM ET AL 1,989,411

AMUS EMENT DEVI CE Filed May 19, 1934 INVENTORS Tom 6. 6/060? midi A TTORNEY Patented Jan. 29, 1935v UNITED STATES AMUSEMENT DEVICE,

Tom 0. Graham and Walter J. Fletcher,

Albany, N. Y.

Application'May 19, 1934, Serial No. 726,527 4- Claims. (01. 273-132.)

This inventionrelates to games and puzzles of the movable block type in which blocks bearing certain distinguishing indicia are slidably movable within an enclosure to accomplish certain predetermined arrangements of the blocks without removing them from the enclosure.

More especially, the invention pertains to that class of movable block games and puzzles wherein one or more blocks are stationary and function as obstacles in the path or paths of the movable blocks, thus increasing the difiiculty of play or solution.

To be profitably saleable, merchandise of this character must be produced cheaply but without sacrifice of essential quality and attractiveness; and success in so doing often turns on seemingly slight advantages in manufacture whereby small savings per unit may be effected.

As will be deduced from the foregoing introductory statement, the underlying object of the present invention is to achieve such economies as may be possible in quantity production of games and puzzles of the type mentioned without impairment of quality or attractiveness.

The several blocks constituting the principal components of a movable block game or puzzle of the type with which this invention is concerned are preferably made of embossed woodsuch blocks being producible in large quantities very cheaply while at the same time being durable and good looking.

Heretofore, it has been the practice to secure the stationary blocks or obstacles in place by glue or nails, but it is found that the time factor and consequently the cost of such operations is excessively high and out of line with the necessary limit on the total cost of production imposed by merchandising considerations. And, what is more, gluing of the blocks in place is frequently not satisfactory-especially with respect to merchandise intended for the tropical and sub-tropical trade.

The present invention provides a very satisfactory solution of the problem here dealt with and contemplates a construction or arrangement wherein all the componentparts of the game or puzzle are simple and inexpensive to manufacture in large quantities and wherein the cost of assembly is reduced almost the vanishing point without in any way impairing or detracting from the merchandise or lessening the satisfaction it will afford to the ultimate purchaser. This objective is accomplished by virtue of a base member including, preferably, a false bottom which is apertured to provide one or more indentations orrecesses to'receive the stationary blocks-the indentations or recesses functioning to hold the stationary blocks against lateral movement; and, in the case of rectangular blocks, also against rotation.

The invention is applicable to a large variety of known and possible games and puzzles of the movable and stationary block type and should not be construed as limited to the particular specie which has been selected for illustration.

Referring to the drawing which accompanies this specification:

Fig. 1 is a face view of a movable block puzzle;

Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line 22 of Fig. 1; and

Fig. 3 is a plan view of a false bottom or base member.

The puzzle here depicted comprises a rectangular box 1, a base member or false bottom 2 resting inside and upon the bottom. of the box, thirteen slidable rectangular blocks 3, each bearing on its face a distinctive marking whereby it is individually identified, and two stationary rectangular blocks 4 and 5 respectively, which serve as obstacles.

As shown most clearly in Fig. 3, the false bottom 2 is rectangularly apertured at 6 and 7each aperture forming a recess for the reception of one of the stationary blocks and serving to hold the same against lateral and rotational movement. By virtue of the provision of the apertured false bottom it is unncessary to nail or glue the stationary blocks in place and a very material saving is thereby realized.

' It will be almost self-evident that the false bottom could, if desired, be glued or otherwise permanently attached to the bottom of the box thereby forming an integral part of the box itself; and it is manifest that the box could be formed with rectangular depressions in the bottom thereby doing away with the necessity for the false bottom. Such apparent alternatives obviously come within the scope of this invention and are embraced within the terms of certain of the appended claims.

The problem involved in the particular puzzle here shown is to maneuver the thirteen movable blocks from one predetermined arrangement to anotherthere being a blank space 8 large enough to receive one block and permit, with difficulty, the necessary manipulation of the blocks without removing them from the enclosure. Since the puzzle itself is not primarily new it is unncessary to explain further the manner of its solution.

What is claimed is:

1. An article of the class described comprising ment, and a plurality of movable blocks resting on said base and slidable thereon, said stationary block projecting above said base member and functioning as an obstruction to said movable blocks with respect to the sliding movements of the latter on said base member.

3. An article of the class described comprising a box, a false bottom for said box, said false bot- .tom having an opening, a stationary block disposed in said opening and resting on the bottom of said box, said false bottom serving to restrain said stationary block against lateral movement, and a plurality of movable blocks resting on said false bottom and slidable thereon, said stationary block projecting above said false bottom and functioning as an obstruction to said movable blocks with respect to the sliding movements of the latter on said false bottom.

4. An article of the class described comprising a box, a false bottom having a rectangular opening therethrough, a rectangular stationary block disposed in said opening and resting on the bottom of said box, said false bottom serving to restrain said stationary block against lateral movement and rotation, and a plurality of movable rectangular blocks resting on said false bottom and slidable thereon, said stationary block projecting above said false bottom and functioning as an obstruction to said movable blocks with respect to the sliding movements of the latter on said false bottom.

TOM C. GRAHAM. WALTER J. FLETCHER. 

